Rotary machine



' June 18, 1940.

Filed March 1, 1937 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 J. S. MORGAN. JR., El AL ROTARYIACHINE Filed larch 1., 1937 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 18; 1940.

June 18, 1940.

J. S. MORGAN. JR., ET AL ROTARY IACHINE Filed latch 1,, 1937 eSheets-Sheet s June 18, J. S. MORGAN JR" HAL ROTARY IACHINE Filed larch1, 1937 6 Sheets$heet- 4 Jun 18, 1940. J. s. MORGAN. JR., ET AL2,205,269

nor/my MACHINE Filed March 1, 1937 6 Sheets$heet 5 June 18, 1940- J. s.MORGAN. JR" EIAL 2 2 120mm MACHINE v iled rch 1; 1937 6 Sheets-Sheet 6Patented June 18, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ROTARY MACHINE JohnS. Morgan, Jr., Manhattan Beach, and

John D. Spalding, Los Angeles, Calif., assignors, by mesne assignments,to The National Supply Company, Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation ofPennsylvania Application March 1, 1937, Serial No. 128,468

' 6 Claims. (Cl. 255-23) This invention relates to rotary machines ofthe type used in the drilling of wells, and is more particularly relatedto a rotary machine or" the enclosed type constructed to meet thepresent demands of deep drilling operations.

An object of our invention is to provide an enclosed rotary machinewherein a unitary pinion shaft assembly is provided and wherein therotary machine is constructed in such a manner as to permit thisassembly to be mounted with relation to the base of the table in such amanner that a more eflicient and economic structure of rotary machinemay be had.

Another object of our invention is to provide a rotary machine of theenclosed type including a rotary table, a base upon which the rotarytable is rotatably mounted, and a unitary pinion shaft assembly which isadapted to be assembled with relation to the table and the base in sucha manner that the structure may meet the presently increasing demandsfor high speed table operation so that the pinion, of increased sizerequisite for such operation, may be properly positioned with relationto the table gear. and held in proper alignment with relation to thebase structure.

Another object of this invention is to provide a rotary machine in whichthere is provided means for maintaining proper bearing lubrication andwherein the lubrication is made effective to the upthrust bearing insuch a manner as to prevent escape of lubricant on rotation of thetable.

Another object of this invention is to provide a rotary machine whereinprovision is made for the positive lubrication of the gears of therotary machine.

Another object of this invention is to provide a rotary machine whereinmeans are provided for maintaining proper alignment of thedrill stem'orKelly joint with relation to the table of the rotary machine so as todecrease the whipping and excessive vibration apt to develop in rotarymachines of the present day design.

Another object of this invention is to provide a rotary machine whereinmeans are provided in operative combination with a rotary machine forrotatably guiding the Kelly joint to decrease whipping and eliminatevibration to prolong the life of the rotary machine. gears and bearingsand drive bushing so that easier feeding of the drill stem is promoted.

Other objects and advantages of this invention it is believed will beapparent from the following detailed description of a preferredembodiment ings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of the rotary machine embodying ourinvention.

Figure 2 is a plan view thereof on a reduced scale.

Figure 3 is a fragmental sectional view taken substantially on the line33 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the rotary machine I aligning means for thekelly removed and illustrating certain parts thereof cut away to showthe internal structure.

Figure 5 is a side elevation of the rotary machine embodying ourinvention with the Kelly driving and aligning means removed.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 6--6 ofFigure i.

Figure '7 is a fragmental sectional view taken substantially on the line'll of Figure 4.

.Figure 8 is a perspective view from the under side of the rotarymachine embodying our in vention illustrating the same with one of theskids thereof broken away.

Figure 9 is a side elevation of the rotary machine embodying ourinvention partly in vertical section and illustrating the pinion shaftassembly in a position either partly removed from or in the act of beingmoved into position in cooperation with the base and rotary table.

Figure 10 is a side elevation partly in vertical section illustrating amodified form of drive bushing and steadyrest.

Figure 11 is a sectional end elevation taken substantially on the linell-ll of Figure 4.

Figure 12 is a sectional end elevation taken substantially on the line|2--l2 of Figure 1 illustrating the same with the steadyrest for thekelly removed.

Figure 13 is a similar sectional end elevation taken substantially onthe line I 3I 3 of Figure 4.

Figure 14 is a fragmental plan view illustrating the position andmounting of the lock pawl levers.

Figure 15 is a fragmental sectional elevation taken substantially on theline l5l 5 of Figure 4;

Figure 16 is a side elevation partly in section of a modified form ofrotary machine embodying our invention illustratingthe manner in whichthe sections are connected in order to align and bring into mesh thepinion of the pinion shaft assembly with the gear on the table.

Figure 17 is a plan view of the lower portion of the base of closurestructure of the rotary machine illustrated in Figure 16.

thereof as illustrated in the accompanying draw I Q: embodying ourinvention with the driving and Y Figure 18 is a sectional end view ofthe structure illustrated in Figure 16, the section being taken in thedirection indicated by the section line in Figure 17.

Figure 19 is a fragmental sectional view illustrating a modified form ofupthrust bearing enclosure.

In the rotary machine illustrated in Figures 1 to 15, inclusive, thebase i has a central bore through which the annular skirt 2 of therotary table 3 extends. An anti-friction bearing 4 supports the table 3upon the base i. A ring gear 5 is carried by the table 3 which operateswithin the annular enclosure 6 formed by the upstanding rim 1 of thebase I and an inner annular rim 8 likewise formed on the base I. l

The top of the chamber 5 is closed by the table which forms a labyrinthseal 5 with the rim 1 and a labyrinth seal H! with the rim 8 so as toexclude foreign matter from, and retain the lubricant, within theannular chamber. The labyrinth seals 9 and it may be of any suitable ordesirable types such, for example, as illustrated in Patent No.2,008,774 to John D. Spalding.

An upthrust ring H is removably secured to the lower end of the annularskirt 2 and supports the anti-friction upthrust bearing l2 which is thusmaintained in the annular chamber l3 formed between the ring H and theannular skirt 2. Bearings 4 and I2 cooperate to maintain the rotarytable in alignment upon the base I to hold the table to strictlyconcentric rotation with relation to the base On the upthrust ring H isformed an outer annular wall I4 which surrounds the bearing 12. Spacedinwardly from oil as thus flung, preventing the oil from finding its wayout of the chamber 13.

In order further to provide for the proper lubrication of our rotarymachine, the same is preferably constructed as follows:

The chamber 6 is closed at its lower elevation by an annular shelf IS;the shelf I8 thus serves to isolate the chamber 6 from the supportingbearing oil chamber i9 formed therebeneath. Oil is admitted into thechamber l9 through an oil inlet passage 29 normally closed by a cap 2|.Oil is admitted into the chamber I9 to establish an oil level determinedby the height of the inner annular wall 22 formed on the base I withinthe inner diameter of the bearing 4. A plurality of passageways 23 areformed in the base structure below the bearing 4 and serve to conductoil from the chamber 19 to the inner por tion of the anti-frictionbearing 4, thus'maim taining a continuous oil circulation for thebearing 4 in the direction of the arrows 24. This circulation and returnof the oil to the chamber I9 is maintained during the rotation of thetable 3 by the centrifugal force set up due to the rotation.

The upthrust bearing l2 receives oil from an entirely independentsource. However, if any oil should find its way over the inner wall 22,it would pass down the outside of the skirt 2 and into the chamber l3.The structure provided for maintaining lubricant for the bearing 4 issuch that under normal conditions of oper tion the oil will bemaintained within the chamber IS.

A passageway 25 is provided in the base (Figure '7) through which oil ispassed to the chamber l3. The passageway 25 is normally closed by aclosure cap 25.

The base I is preferably formed integral with a lateral extension 27which supports the pinion shaft assembly 28 and maintains it in properalignment, whereby the pinion 29 may mesh with the ring gear 5. Thelateral extension 27 is open upon its under side to permit the pinionshaft assembly 28 to be moved into position with the pinion 29 in meshwith the gear 5. The large size of pinion 23 indicated is a requisite ofthe modern trend toward high speed drilling operations.

Pinion shaft assembly 28 is moved into position in a direction generallyperpendicular to the axis of the pinion shaft til. Bolts 3i secure the-pinion shaft assembly in position upon the under side of the baseextension 21. The bearing boxes 32 and 33 are provided with shoulders 34which engage the corresponding shoulders 35 of the extension 21 toinsure positive alignment.

for the pinion shaft 30. Shims 36 are provided to permit a verticaladjustment.

The pinion shaft assembly, including pinion 29 fixed upon the shaft 30,is rotatably supported in the bearings positioned within the spacedbearing boxes 32 and 33. The shaft 3a is provided at its outer end witha drive sprocket 31. Between the bearing boxes 32 and 33 and splined tothe shaft 3!] is a double lock wheel 38. The inner bearing box 32carries a radial bearing 32, and the outer bearing box 33 carries aradial thrust bearing 33 The bearing 33 acts to take the radial load ofthe pinion shaft 39, as well as the total endwise thrust imposed by thepinion 29. The outward thrust is thus transmitted from the pinion 29 tothe shaft 30 to the nut 39 on the shaft 3il through the lock wheel 38 tothe spacer collar 4!] to the inner race of the bearing 33 Inward thrustof the pinion 29 is taken through the shaft 38 to the adjustable nut 4l'to the inner race of the bearing 33 It is apparent that the mesh betweenthe pinion 29 and the ring gear 5 may be adjusted vertically by means ofthe shims 35 and horizontally by means of the nuts 39 and 4|.

After the pinion shaft assembly 28 has been assembled into the extension21 of the base i,

a closure member 42 is inserted into position under the pinion 29. Theclosure member 42 extends backunder the inner bearing box 32 to providea lubricant chamber 43 adequate for gear lubricant,

The member 42 is secured in position by cap screws 44 and seals within agroove 45 formed in the bearing box 32 behind the apron 46. A packing'seal 41 may be inserted within the groove 45. Lubricant is introducedinto the closure member 42 through a passage 48. The passage 48 isnormally closed by a plug 49. The plug 49 carries a lubricant indicator5!]. The pinion 29 dips into the lubricant contained in the closuremember 42 and carries the lubricant to the ring gear 5. To supplementthis method of lubricating the gears 5 and 29, and to insure adequatelubrication in the event this system of lubrication becomes faulty dueto the effect of cavitation, a pump is provided to deliver lubricantdirectly into the position where the gears mesh. In the particularconstruction illustrated, a pump of the socalled viscosity type ismounted upon the circular collar 5| formed on the back face of thepinion 29. The inner end 52 of the bearing box 32 projects over andsurrounds the collar 5| and fits closely therewith. A groove 53 isformed in this portion 52 of the box 32 and extends for a limiteddistance around the periphery of the collar 5|. An inlet passage 54communicates with the end of the groove 53, and a discharge passage 55(Figure 6) communicates with the other end of the groove 53. Thedischarge passage 55 delivers lubricant onto a drain pan 58 (Figure 4)from which the lubricant flows directly into the meshing gears 5 and 29.The action of this pump is thus that as the pinion shaft 38 revolves,lubricant is drawn up into the passage 54 and is discharged through thepassage 55.

The pinion shaft lock includes the double lock wheel 38 which is securedto the pinion shaft 38 and a pair of lock pawls 51 and 58. The pawls 51and 58 are pivotally mounted on a common shaft 59 supported by theextension of the base I. Each of the pawls 5 1 and 58 engage one of theratchets of the double ratchet wheel 38. As illustrated in Figure II,the lock pawl 58 when engaged with its ratchet wheel prevents clockwiserotation with the shaft 38. The pawl 51 when engaged with its ratchetwheel prevents counterclockwise rotation of the pinion shaft 38. Each ofthe pawls 51 and 58 is actuated by a lever 88 and 8|, respectively. Thelevers 88 and 8| extend through openings in the base extension 21. Theaction of each pawl is independent of the other, so that either or bothpawls may be engaged or retrieved as desired.

' As the outward thrust of the pinion 29 is transmitted through the lockwheel 38, the lock wheel 38 must be capable of slight endwise movementupon the pinion shaft 38 to allow for-the adjustment for mesh of thegears 29 and 5 as previously described. The small amount of travel thusrequired is however not sufiicient to interfere with the action of thelock pawls 51 and 58.

In order to complete the enclosure around the pinion 29 and the innerbearing box 32, a partition 82 is formed inwardly of the wall of thebase extension 21 and acts as a bafiie to prevent water, mud, or otherforeign matter from entering the enclosure member 42. The lock pawlmember and the outer bearing box 33 are enclosed on all sides exceptfrom below. The enclosure thus formed prevents mud from falling directlyupon the lock pawl and this outer bearing. However, if foreign mattershould reach these parts from below, no damage would occur sinceordinary foreign matter would not injure the lock pawl mechanism and itcould have no effect upon the outer bearing 38 which is sealed withinthe box 33.

A sectional fabricated guard 83 forms an enclosure completely around thedrive sprocket 31. The guard 83 is preferably bolted to an end flange 84formed on the outer extension 21 of the base I and is supported thereby.The chain (not shown) for driving the sprocket 31 operates within thisguard which may be made oil-tight, and the chain may thereby receiveadequate lubrication and at the same time be protected from foreignmatter.

In the rotary machine embodying our invention in order to maintain theoperating parts of the machine in proper alignment, particularly wherethe machine is utilized under deep drilling condi tions, we haveprovided a centering bearing 85 for the kelly 88. As is well known tothose skilled in the art of rotary drilling, the upper end of the kellyissupported by a tackle block (not shown) and the lower end is fastenedto the drill pipe (not shown).

In ordinary rotary machines, the only radial bearings or centering meansfor the kelly is the same means that is used to rotate it, i. e., thedrive bushings 81. This practice has resulted in excessive wear of thedrive bushing 81 and of the bearings 4 and I2 which support and maintainalignment of the drive bushing 81. As Wear occurs, the wear becomes moreacute due to the whipping action of the kelly 86.

In accordance with our invention and in order to insure that the rotarymachine thereof will operate smoothly without whipping action, we haveprovided a centering bearing assembly including the centering bearing 85which serves to hold the kelly 88 proper vertical alignment so that thedrive bushings 81 are required to perform only one function, i. e., ofrotating the kelly 88.

Inaccordance with our invention, a sleeve 88 provided with a bore of thesame configuration as the cross-section of the kelly 88, is mounted in asuitable housing 89 which is supported on a frusto-conical structure 18.The structure 18 is reinforced by radial extending ribs 1|. A closureflange 12 is secured to the housing 89 and carries a packing ring 13,which in cooperation with the mud thrower flange 14 secured to thesleeve 88, prevents the admission of mud or other foreign matter to thecentering bearing 85. Asecond packing ring 15 is positioned in the lowerpart of the housing 69. The two packing rings, 13 and 15, likewise serveto prevent escape of lubricant supplied the bearing 85 through a fitting18. Drive cushions 11 composed of rubber or like resilient material maybe inserted in the sleeve 88. The bearing housing 89, supportingstructure 18, and ribs 1| are preferably of integral construction forthe purpose of rigidity.

A ring 18 is secured to the base of the rotary machine and supports theentire kelly centering assembly. Any preferred form of quick connectionmay be provided between the structure 18 r and the supporting ring 18 inorder that the assembly-may be readily installed and withdrawn fromposition. I

In the construction as illustrated, pivot bolts 19 and wing nuts 88cooperate to removably secure said parts together. This demountablefeature is necessary in order that the centering assembly may bemaintained upon the kelly 88 when the latter is withdrawn from therotary machine.

Withdrawal of the kelly upwardly through the rotary machine is anecessary operation preliminary to adding or removing a'joint of thedrill pipe. When this operation is accomplished, it is desirable to havethe drive bushings 81, as well as the centering assembly remain upon thekelly. With this purpose in View, a projection, or series ofprojections, 8| are secured to the lower end of the kelly 88 in anyconvenient manner. Upon withdrawal of the kelly 88, one of theprojections 8| is adapted to release a latch mechanism 82 containedwithin the drive bushing 81. The projections 8| then support the entireweight of the centering assembly and the drive bushing 81, which partsmay then be removed withthe kelly from the rotary machine.

In the modified form of our invention illustrated in Figure 10 there isillustrated a modification of the centering bearing assembly for thekelly in which the bearing sleeve and the drive bushings are formedintegrally'as a member 68 which is suspended from the self-aligningbearings 65 The lower end of the member 68 extends into a polygonalopening provided in the table 3 and fits into driving engagementtherewith. In this construction the aligning means for the kelly 6t issupported entirely by the base I and the sole function of the table 9)is to rotate the member $8 and hence the kelly 66. Release of the wingnuts 86 permits the withdrawal of the kelly [i15 with the centeringbearing assembly carried thereon. This construction as specificallyillustrated in Figure 10, as well as the Kelly drive arrangement shownin Figures 1, 2 and 3, is reserved in the divisional application filedMarch 9, 1938, Serial No. 194,865, by applicant, John D. Spalding. Thesubject matter of the modified form of invention as illustrated inFigures 16, 17 and 18, is the subject of a divisional application filedDecember 5, 1939, Serial No. 307,626, by John S. Morgan, Jr., and JohnD. Spalding.

In the modification of our invention illustrated in Figures 16, 17 and18, the base of the rotary machine is divided horizontally to form abase structure l and a closure member 42* The pinion shaft assembly 213rests on the closure section 62 and'is held in proper alignment and inposition by means of bolts 31*. The upper section or main base section ltogether with the table 3 and its bearings 4 and I2 form a unitaryassembly which may be removed from the closure member 42' as a singleentity. This construction provides in effect a split housing for thepinion shaft assembly 28 The lower half is formed to include an oilretaining closure together with the skids [00 and the upper half by theinverted U-shaped section of the extension 21 of the base I When theupper section l is lowered into position and bolted to the lower sectionby means of the bolts lfll the enclosure for the pinion shaft assembly28 is complete. A seal I02 is formed at the outer end of the shaft 30which permits a small amount of vertical adjustment necessary for theshaft 30*.

In the modification of our invention illustrated in Figure 19, themodified form of upthrust bearing enclosure is illustrated. In thismodification a bearing race support 200 is pressed into the base ZOI andis prevented from turning by means of a key 202. This support 200carries a stationary upper race of the upthrust bearing 212. The lowerrace of this bearing is supported on a ring 204 secured to the lower endof the table skirt 205. Secured upon this ring 204 is a lubricantretaining member 206 which includes an upstanding wall 201 and aninwardly extending and downwardly lipped flange 208. The flange 208 ispositioned between the support 200 and the base L The lubricant retainer206 rotates with the tab1e2fl3 and therefore escape of lubricant fromthe chamber 2l3 would require that the lubricant within the chamber 2I3would make its way to the top of the wall 201 and then pass inwardlyagainst the action of centrifugal force and reach the inner diameter ofthe flange 208. The chamber 2l3 and retainer 206 are so proportioned asto provide adequate space within the retainer 206 to accommodate theentire volume of upthrust bearing lubricant required when acted upon bycentrifugal force. This construction is therefore particularly effectivein preventing the loss of lubricant and at the same time affords easyassembly of the required parts. The upthrust bearing'construction asherein set forth is the subject of a divisional application upon whichapplication Letters Patent No. 2,172,777 was issued to John D. Spalding.Lubricant may be introduced into the upthrust bearing 2 I2 in the samemanner as illustrated 'in connection with the previous modifications ofour invention heretofore described as shown by parts and 26 in Figure 7.

As will be apparent from the foregoing, th construction and method ofassembly of our rotary machine does not place any serious limie tationupon the speed at which the rotary table may be driven because the sizeof the driving pinion 29, or its diameter with relation to the ring gear5, may be varied while maintaining an enclosed oil circulating rotarymachine. This construction of rotary machine lends itself for thisreason aptly to the modern trend of high speed drilling.

Having fully described our invention, it is to be understood that we donot wish to be limited to the details herein set forth, but ourinvention is of the full scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In an enclosed type of rotary machine, the combination of a basehaving an annular channel, a-table having an annular gear depending intosaid channel, bearing means for rotatably supporting the table on thebase, drive means forsaid gear including a shaft having a pinionthereon, an opening for said pinion formed in said base through thebottom of said channel directly below said depending gear, the width ofthe opening being suflicient to permit entry of the pinion, means torotatably support said shaft including a bearing pendently secured tothe under side'of the base, and closure means for said base openingadapted to confine lubricant for said pinion and gear.

2. In an enclosed rotary machine, the combination of a base having anannular closure rim,

' a table rotatably supported upon the base, co-

operating parts on the table and base forming with said annular rim anenclosure between the table and the base, a gear on said table withinsaid enclosure, a drive shaft having a pinion thereon, a laterallyextending drive shaft support on said base, bearing means for said shaftpendently suspended from said support, an opening through the basedirectly below said table gear, the width of the opening beingsufficient to permit the pinion to extend therethrough into theenclosure to mesh with the gear and means adapted to close the openingto complete the enclosure for said pinion and gear. ,1

3. In an enclosed rotary machine, the combination of a base having anannular outer wall, a table rotatably mounted upon said base and heldgainst vertical displacement relative thereto, interengaging parts onthe table and the base forming a lubricant chamber within said wall, agear on said table within said lubricant chamber, a drive shaft, apinion on said drive shaft, a laterally extending drive shaft support onsaid base, bearing means for said shaft pendently suspended from saidsupport, a housing on said support extending over said shaft and bearingmeans and connected to said wall below its upper surface, said basehaving an opening in its bottom portion into said lubricant chamberthrough which'opening the pinion may be inserted upwardly into positionto mesh with the gear, and removable closure means for said openingadapted to confine lubricant within said chamber.

4. In an enclosed rotary machine, the combination of a base having anouter and inner wall, a table rotatably mounted upon said base,cooperating parts on the table and base forming an enclosed chamberwithin said outer wall, a gear on said table within said chamber, adrive shaft support on said base extending laterally from said outerWall, a drive shaft, bearing means for said shaft including spacedbearing boxes secured against the under side of said 1ateral'support,said base having an opening into said chamber between said inner andouter walls, a pinion on said drive shaft insertable upwardly into saidopening into mesh with said gear, and closure means secured about saidopening and cooperating with said chamber to confine lubricant for saidpinion and said gear.

5. In a rotary machine of the enclosed type, the combination of a basehaving an annular upstanding Wall, a table rotatably mounted upon saidbase, interengaging parts on the table and base forming a chamber withinsaid wall, a gear on said table within said chamber, a laterallyextending drive shaft support on said base, a housing integral with saidsupport and merging into said wall, the housing having an open lowerportion, a drive shaft positioned under said open lower portion of saidhousing, bearing means for said shaft suspended from saidsupport, saidbase having an opening into said chamber beneath said gear, the openingbeing in alignment with the open lower portion of said housing, a pinionon said drive shaft insertable upwardly into said opening and adapted todrive said gear, and removable closure means for said openingcooperating with said base to define an enclosure for said pinion.

6. In a rotary machine of the enclosed type, the combination of a base,a table rotatably mounted on the base, cooperating parts on the tableand base forming a chamber therebetween, a gear on said table Withinsaid chamber, a laterally extending support on said base, bearing meanssecured to the under side of said support, a shaft rotataby carried bysaid bearing means, a pinion fixed on said shaft, an opening in saidbase beneath the table gear to permit entry of the pinion to mesh withsaid gear, means including a detachable member cooperating with saidbase to form an enclosure for said pinion, said opening in the baseacting to provide open communication between said pinion enclosure andsaid gear chamber.

JOHN S. MORGAN, JR.

JOHN D. S-PALDING.

